Carli Lloyd Announces Second Pregnancy at 43, Shares Emotional IVF Journey
Former United States Women's National Team soccer legend Carli Lloyd has shared deeply personal and emotional news that has resonated with fans worldwide. The 43-year-old athlete and her husband, Brian Hollins, have announced they are expecting their second child, a pregnancy that feels particularly meaningful given their challenging fertility journey.
A Heartfelt Instagram Announcement
On Saturday, Lloyd took to Instagram to share the joyful news with her followers. The post featured heartwarming family photos showing Lloyd, her husband Brian, and their daughter Harper Anne Hollins smiling together while holding ultrasound images. Harper was born in October 2024, and now the family is preparing to welcome another child in September 2026.
In her accompanying message, Lloyd expressed a mix of emotions. "We feel incredibly grateful, excited, and honestly still a little surprised that we're getting another baby," she wrote. "This moment feels even more special because of everything we went through to get here."
The Difficult Road to Motherhood
This pregnancy announcement carries profound significance because Lloyd has been remarkably transparent about her struggles with infertility for years. Her journey to becoming a mother was neither simple nor straightforward, involving what she described as a "rollercoaster" of emotions, medical procedures, and uncertainty.
Before welcoming Harper, Lloyd faced unexplained infertility and underwent three rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. In a previous interview with Women's Health magazine, she revealed how the process began to "eat me alive" both mentally and physically, highlighting the immense toll fertility treatments can take on individuals and couples.
Advocacy and Awareness
Even while sharing her happy news, Lloyd made sure to acknowledge others who are still struggling with fertility issues. She expressed deep understanding of the pain many women experience and called for greater openness about fertility challenges.
"I understand the pain so many women feel when it comes to starting a family," Lloyd stated. "We need more people speaking openly about fertility, better support systems, increased funding for treatments, and more comprehensive education around these options."
Reflecting on her own experience, Lloyd admitted she wishes she had learned more about fertility earlier in her life. During her professional soccer career, which spanned from 2005 to 2021, the sport consumed her focus completely. It wasn't until her retirement at age 39 that she could fully concentrate on family planning, a shift that made her realize how limited time can be when pursuing parenthood.
A Historic Soccer Career
Carli Lloyd's athletic achievements are nothing short of legendary. During her 16-year tenure with the United States Women's National Team, she:
- Won two FIFA Women's World Cup championships
- Earned two Olympic gold medals
- Scored 134 international goals, placing her third in USWNT history behind only Abby Wambach and Mia Hamm
Even after retiring from professional play, Lloyd remained in the public eye, serving as an analyst for Fox Sports during the 2023 World Cup coverage and continuing to influence the sport she helped elevate.
A New Chapter Focused on Family
Today, Lloyd's priorities have clearly shifted. Her focus is now firmly on family, healing from past struggles, and moving forward with gratitude. This new pregnancy represents more than just a family expansion—it symbolizes triumph over adversity and the realization of dreams that once seemed uncertain.
"This new chapter feels different because I know exactly how hard it was to get here," Lloyd emphasized. Her journey from soccer stardom to motherhood, marked by both public achievements and private struggles, continues to inspire countless individuals facing similar challenges.
